Empower Rural Communities and Help Protect Forests

Summary

Provides rural families with resources to establish and maintain their own micro-businesses. Community members earn income through sustainable family-run businesses in ecotourism, rather than destructive and illegal poaching and logging. Positive side effects of this program include protection of the region's natural biodiversity, as community members see the value in preserving of the integrity of the rainforest and wildlife surrounding the commune.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Poaching, deforestation, and slash and burn farming have taken a devastating toll on Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains, one of Southeast Asia's largest remaining rainforests. Poor villagers have few options, so they hunt and log the forest to support their families. Yet the area's lush forests, winding rivers and wildlife make it an ideal spot for visiting. This project is alleviating poverty through ecotourism income while preventing the destruction of the rainforest and its wildlife.

How will this project solve this problem?

Benefits the commune of Chi Phat by providing infrastructure, equipment, and training in hospitality, service and project management, while developing income generating activities, such as trekking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and boating.

Potential Long Term Impact

Improve villagers' incomes and their capacity to manage local businesses, upgrade community infrastructure and responsibly develop this exquisite region to preserve it for future generations of Cambodians, visitors, and wildlife.

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $2,678

Funding Information

This project is now in implementation and no longer available for funding.
Received funds will be used to accomplish concrete objectives as
indicated in the project's "Activities" section. Updates will be posted under the
"Project Report" tab as they become available.

Donors' contributions and pledges to this project totaled $2,678
.
The original project funding goal was $25,000.

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